BCS Prediction: Tigers Won't Be Tamed

Prediction: LSU 20, Ohio State 14

When the LSU Tigers take the field tonight in New Orleans against the Ohio State Buckeyes much will be at stake. Appearing in the BCS National Championship game for the second time in consecutive years, the Buckeyes will be trying to prove that their humiliating defeat to fellow SEC opponent Florida last year was the exception, not the rule. LSU on the other hand, has not tasted the national championship in four years, and will be looking to send its 25 seniors out on top.

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel has the clear experience advantage over LSU head man Les Miles as the two teams head into play. Tressel, coach of the 2002 national champion Buckeye's squad, has had much success in January and adds to his championship a convincing BCS Bowl resume that includes victories over Miami and Notre Dame. The glaring weakness on his BCS resume is last year’s debacle against Florida. For Miles, tonight’s game will be his first step on to the national championship stage; however, Miles, like Tressel, possesses a BCS victory over the Irish, his coming last year.

The game will likely come down to a match up between the stingy defense of Ohio State which leads the country in points allowed per game, allowing only a paltry 10.7 points per game and the veteran leadership of LSU’s offense. The defense is led by junior linebacker, Jim Laurinaitis, an All-American and recipient of the Butkus award, given to the nation’s top collegiate linebacker. The defense is also anchored by a fellow All-American, cornerback Malcolm Jenkins, who will attempt to keep up with the Tiger’s speed on offense.

It will likely be this same speed of LSU that will continue to frustrate the Buckeyes as the game goes on. Matt Flynn, the veteran play caller for LSU, has at his disposal an assortment of offensive options. Add to this LSU’s talented defensive unit led by All-American Glenn Dorsey and the Tiger’s bite will simply be too much for Ohio State.

Neither team is that much better than the other. The game will be a low scoring affair that should stay competitive right up until the last whistle. Because of this it would be unwarranted to predict a blowout; however, the SEC’s ability to produce superior speed and athleticism will be enough for LSU to win the game and throw the last and biggest party of the college football year close to home on Bourbon St.